Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering II

Academic unit or major

Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering

Instructor(s)

Minoru Seki / Satoshi Iwatsuki

Class Format

Lecture (HyFlex)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

Intensive

Class

-

Course Code

CAP.T424

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2026

Offered quarter

3-4Q

Syllabus updated

Sep 29, 2026

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

[Outline] In this lecture, we will comprehend to educate chemists who understand fundamental and advanced chemistry for developing the functions and properties of materials toward the preparation of advanced materials. In order to train, researchers active at the forefront of applied chemistry fields introduce their research results from basic to applied.
[Objective] We aim to acquire a broad knowledge of researchers who are active at the forefront of applied chemistry field concerning research from basic to applied.

Course description and aims

First half: Prof. Minoru Seki:
Biomanufacturing is expected to be used not only in pharmaceuticals and food, where it has been pioneered, but also in a variety of industrial fields, including chemicals, materials, textiles, and fuels. It is expected to become the next generation's industrial infrastructure as a form of "sustainable manufacturing" that replaces various manufacturing processes that traditionally use fossil fuels as raw materials. How to utilize renewable biological resources, promote economic activity while reducing the environmental impact, and build the next generation's industrial infrastructure presents a number of challenges, including technical, cost, and institutional issues, and we are facing a major challenge. This article will introduce the current state of this issue and trends in technological development from various angles, and consider new innovations in the manufacturing industry.
Second half: Prof. Satoshi Iwatsuki:
Chemical equilibrium (analytical chemistry) and reaction kinetics (physical chemistry) are subjects that every chemistry student learns during their undergraduate studies. To put it bluntly, you might think of them as "memorizing outdated specialized knowledge and solving calculation problems just to get course credits." However, in solution reactions frequently encountered in chemical research, precise measurement and analysis based on chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics provide relatively versatile quantitative answers to the question, "What reacts and how?" This lecture will introduce the lecturer's own research examples, demonstrating how they have unraveled the mysteries of unknown chemical phenomena (solution reactions) by utilizing the fundamental theories of "outdated analytical and physical chemistry."

Keywords

Prof. Seki: Biomaterials
Prof. Iwatsuki: Chemical Equilibria, Reaction Kinetics, Solution Chemistry

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Two lecturers will each give an intensive lecture in a high-flex format.
First half: Prof. Minoru Seki: Biomanufacturing
Second half: Prof. Satoshi Iwatsuki: Is "old-fashioned chemistry" still useful? ~Through precise analysis of solution reactions~

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Handouts will be distributed.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Attendance will be checked in every class. Full attendance is required in principle. Course score will be based on the reports evaluation.

Related courses

• CAP.T423 ： Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering I
• CAP.T425 ： Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering III
• CAP.A461 ： Advanced Solid State Chemistry I
• CAP.P432 ： Elements of Polymer Science II

Prerequisites

No prerequisites.

Other

Class Schedule and Location (All Hybrid Lectures)
Session 1: 10/23 (Fri) 10:45-12:25, 13:30-17:05
Professor Minoru Seki, Chiba University
Hybrid Lecture: Yokohama Campus: In-Person, O-okayama: Online (lecture room: TBD)
The classroom location will be posted on the LMS once confirmed.

Session 2: Wednesday, December 14 (Mon), 8:50-10:30, 10:45-12:25, 13:30-15:10
Konan Univ. Prof. Satoshi Iwatsuki
Hybrid Lecture: Oogakama Campus In-Person, Yokohama Online (lecture room: TBD)
The classroom will be announced on the LMS once confirmed.
Students are welcome to attend in person by moving between campuses.